Old factory to be transformed into vibrant hotel

From industrial workshop to energy-saving hotel

Opposite Amsterdam Central Station lies Buiksloterham. Over the past decade, this neighbourhood has rapidly developed from industrial estate to attractive urban district. This will be joined in the coming years by a modern and sustainable Mama Shelter hotel. The French chain's first hotel in the Netherlands.

The factory, built in 1969 to machine metal, was bought almost half a century later by interior design company &Klevering to transform the, now vacant workshop, for their own office and storage. 'When they asked us in 2016 to help think about the design, to our surprise we found that it was possible to develop a hotel on this factory site. It was the start of a long development process which is now becoming a reality.' said architect Paul de Ruiter. With the help of White House Development, a new hotspot in Amsterdam North is being created.

The design literally builds on the industrial past by placing a seven-storey hotel tower of 150 hotel rooms on top of the original factory. In the existing, almost 10-metre-high factory hall, the original steel shed roofs and large overhead doors on the side provide plenty of natural light and liveliness from the street. This spectacular space will house the hotel lobby, restaurant, bar and space for meetings and events. On the top floor of the tower - almost 30 metres above the ground - a roof terrace will be built, offering panoramic views of the IJ and Amsterdam North.

Energy-positive, circular and biodiverse 

The hotel will be designed to be fully future-proof and meet the highest sustainability requirements. To achieve this, solar cells will be installed in the facade of the tower, there will be various energy-recovery installations and there will be a heat/cold storage facility deep in the ground under the building. De Ruiter: 'We want to create a building that actually adds something to its surroundings. A hotel that produces energy, that is circular through re-use and bio-based materials, but also a hotel that contributes to biodiversity. Therefore, on top of the building there will be a green roof that not only stores rainwater, but also brings cooling to the building and gives a boost to the flora and fauna of the area.'

Hotel chain Mama Shelter is bringing its lavish, quirky and bold concept to the Dutch capital. Mama Shelter Amsterdam is expected to open its doors in early 2027.